Difference between revisions of "Software Center"

Revision as of 17:44, 28 February 2018

What is Software Center?

Software Center (also known as SCCM) is Winona State University's (WSU) Windows application management framework. SCCM stands for System Center Configuration Manager. Only your WSU computer will see WSU's Software Center application. This applies to both Windows desktops, laptops, and any other Windows devices WSU distributes.

What Should I Expect to See?

When Software Center has new software available, a standard notification will appear in the system tray at the lower-right of the screen. When you see this notification you can choose to interact with it immediately or wait until you have time for it.

Occasionally, not often, WSU will have to push updates that are time sensitive, security related, or address other known problems. In that case, the message may appear a bit differently and may be a bit harder to ignore.

-placeholder for screenshot of Win10 Upgrade pop-up-

How is Software Center Used?

WSU's Information Technology Services team uses Software Center to deliver important updates to your computer. All students, staff, and faculty members can use this tool by searching for Software Center in their Windows 10 start menu (lower-left hand corner) or by interacting with the Software Center icon in the system tray (lower-right hand corner).

Windows 10 Major Version Upgrades

It is sometimes necessary to upgrade Windows 10 to the next major revision (sometimes referred to as "feature updates" or "named updates") in order to provide the best performance and security.

These updates are typically more time consuming and take more reboots than standard monthly Windows Updates.
Depending on the nature of the update, other components of your computer may be upgraded at this time (BIOS, installed software, etc.)

BIOS Updates

BIOS updates modify and upgrade the firmware of the computer. Firmware is the layer that exists between the computer's hardware and software. Hardware --> Firmware --> Software. Keeping BIOS and firmware versions up to date ensures optimal security, health, and performance for all computers, not just Windows PCs.

For WSU computers, Windows BIOS updates are available via Software Center.

HP BIOS Updates

To see if a BIOS update is available for your HP computer, open Software Center and the select the Applications tab.

Estimated time to completion: 15-20 Minutes

If a BIOS update is available, ensure the following prior to installing it:

You have a power adapter connected during the entire process.
All applications and software are closed.
All documents are saved and closed.
You are ready to not use your computer for 15-20 minutes.

After installing the update, the machine will restart and display the BIOS update screen. It is not necessary to interact with the computer at this point.

The BIOS update will cause the computer to reboot several times. The computer fan may get loud, the computer may emit an audible beep, and several different screens may display during the update.

NOTE: Interrupting this process may cause permanent damage to the computer and may result in a loss of data!

Once the BIOS update is complete, the standard Windows login screen appears. At this point, users can log in and use the computer as usual.

Following a BIOS update, there should be no noticeable change to the computer. It's all under the hood!

Additional Information

SCCM maintenance install
Software applications

Related information

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 ===Windows 10 Major Version Upgrades===
-WSU is proud to advertise that we have nearly no Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 computers on campus anymore. Since the majority of our Windows devices run Windows 10, it is sometimes necessary to upgrade to the next major revision (sometimes referred to as feature updates or named updates) in order to provide the best performance and security.
+It is sometimes necessary to upgrade Windows 10 to the next major revision (sometimes referred to as "feature updates" or "named updates") in order to provide the best performance and security.
-*These updates are typically more time consuming and take more reboots than the average monthly Windows Updates.
+*These updates are typically more time consuming and take more reboots than standard monthly Windows Updates.
 *Depending on the nature of the update, other components of your computer may be upgraded at this time (BIOS, installed software, etc.)
 ===BIOS Updates===
-BIOS updates impact the firmware of the computer. In terms of basic semantics, firmware is the layer that exists between the hardware and software. Hardware --> Firmware --> Software. Your BIOS allows the different parts of your PC to communicate with each other and also tests to ensure that all of the components are functioning correctly. BIOS updates provide the system with updated code to allow the communication, security and health of your PC to be at optimal efficiency.
+BIOS updates modify and upgrade the firmware of the computer. Firmware is the layer that exists between the computer's hardware and software. Hardware --> Firmware --> Software. Keeping BIOS and firmware versions up to date ensures optimal security, health, and performance for all computers, not just Windows PCs.
-For the WSU community all windows based mobile device BIOS updates will be available through software center.
+For WSU computers, Windows BIOS updates are available via Software Center.
-==HP Mobile Device BIOS Updates==
+==HP BIOS Updates==
-All HP mobile devices will have their BIOS updates distributed through software center. To see if you have a BIOS update available for your HP mobile device, open software center and the select the applications tab to see if you have any available.
+To see if a BIOS update is available for your HP computer, open Software Center and the select the Applications tab.
-Estimated Time: 15-20 Minutes
+Estimated time to completion: 15-20 Minutes
 [[File:BIOSUpdateScreen.png|600px]]
-If you have a BIOS update available, and you would like to install the current version you'll need to make sure the requirements below are met prior to installing:
+If a BIOS update is available, ensure the following prior to installing it:
-*You have a power adapter connected during the entire process
+*You have a power adapter connected during the entire process.
-*All applications and software closed
+*All applications and software are closed.
-*All documents are saved and closed
+*All documents are saved and closed.
-*Your machine is ready to be restarted
+*You are ready to not use your computer for 15-20 minutes.
 [[File:BIOSUpdateScreen2.png|600px]]
-After installing the update, your machine will restart and go into the BIOS screen for the Update. At this screen do you not have to enter anything or do anything, it has a countdown for it to continue.
+After installing the update, the machine will restart and display the BIOS update screen. It is not necessary to interact with the computer at this point.
 [[File:BIOSSettingsUpdateScreen.png|600px]]
-The BIOS update will restart your machine quite a few times with various screens you'll see. It is very important not to interrupt the process to ensure the update completes correctly.
+The BIOS update will cause the computer to reboot several times. The computer fan may get loud, the computer may emit an audible beep, and several different screens may display during the update.
+'''NOTE: Interrupting this process may cause permanent damage to the computer and may result in a loss of data!'''
 [[File:BIOSSettingsUpdateScreen2.png|600px]]
-After the update has completed in the BIOS, you'll be left at the login screen and at this point the BIOS update has completed.
+Once the BIOS update is complete, the standard Windows login screen appears. At this point, users can log in and use the computer as usual.
+Following a BIOS update, there should be no noticeable change to the computer. It's all under the hood!
 ==Additional Information==